Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: Elliott on April 09, 2016, 11:00:47 AM

Title: Conway Kennels
Post by: Elliott on April 09, 2016, 11:00:47 AM: Well its been almost a month since I dropped off my 1 year old lab off at Conway Kennels. I left Chewie in the hands of Kyle. Chewie had been out there once before when he was about 6 months old and was thrown a few pigeons, it took a few tries but he eventually figured out what he was supposed to do. I've been getting regular updates from Kyle on Chewie's progress and it sounds like hes doing really well. I finally get to go see him on Tuesday! I cant wait, I miss my boy, the fiancee doesnt miss him all that much though!

Kyle said that Chewie tested him, but quickly figured out that Kyle was in charge, so now its my turn to be the boss again. Chewie has always challenged, more than any other dog I have had. I'd be happy if he was at least a little bit obedient and didnt eat the birds he brought back to me!

I'll try and get some video of him when I see him on Tuesday!
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Elliott on April 12, 2016, 02:06:50 PM: Here's my 1 year old Chewie doing a water retrieve. One month down and one more to go! He has improved so much!

https://vimeo.com/162587648 (https://vimeo.com/162587648)
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: NW-GSP on April 12, 2016, 02:47:36 PM: Did they force fetch train him?. Have they been working on pointing?.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: h2ofowlr on April 12, 2016, 03:51:41 PM: Good looking dog. They just have to teach him to hold the bird or the chase is on with a cripple as soon as he drops it.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Elliott on April 16, 2016, 08:55:34 AM: The first month is getting him used to everything going on, quartering, scenting, retrieving. They didn't have to do any force fetching because he was already so birdy, they will probably have to force hold him though. The second month is polishing, retrieving to hand and at heel, all that good stuff. For now on I will be going once a week to get some work in with him so he knows that its not just the trainer who is the boss, but me too.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Elliott on April 16, 2016, 08:57:51 AM: Quote from: NW-GSP on April 12, 2016, 02:47:36 PM
Did they force fetch train him?. Have they been working on pointing?.

He pointed for half a second at a pheasant that was planted, then he just picked it up, dropped it and the bird just flew off. I didn't have a good shot because it was so low to the ground and Chewie was right on its tail.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Colin on April 18, 2016, 09:45:26 AM: Why no FF? Seems like a big gap if you're paying a pro to train him.

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Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 18, 2016, 01:15:03 PM: Quote from: Colin on April 18, 2016, 09:45:26 AM
Why no FF? Seems like a big gap if you're paying a pro to train him.

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normally, the dog needs to have some foundation of bird work and obedience done before considering FF. FF isn't the first order of business and one month isn't enough time to start bird work, obedience, collar conditioning and do FF. For a bird starter program I would expect a minimum 3-4 month training time and sometimes that isn't enough. All dependent upon the individual dog.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Elliott on April 19, 2016, 03:20:44 PM: Well they actually started force fetching him last week. The trainer didn't think he needed it, then Chewie started testing how much he could get away with. Oh well. another 3 weeks and I get to take him home!
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 22, 2016, 09:25:02 AM: the faster a person expects everything to be completed usually results in the less complete everything is finished.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: vandeman17 on April 22, 2016, 09:55:28 AM: Right on. I would trust them in the process and be patient. They know what they are doing. :tup:
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: LndShrk on April 22, 2016, 10:03:35 AM: Quote from: Happy Gilmore on April 22, 2016, 09:25:02 AM
the faster a person expects everything to be completed usually results in the less complete everything is finished.
:yeah: :yeah: :tup: :tup:

I am always amazed when I see pups that have been "FF" and still are not steady.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 22, 2016, 02:53:52 PM: that isn't always bad. FF'd dogs want to get moving and do the right thing by getting a bird in their mouth so, breaking can be a symptom of pressure associated with the FF.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: WRL on April 23, 2016, 10:18:29 AM: Quote from: LndShrk on April 22, 2016, 10:03:35 AM
Quote from: Happy Gilmore on April 22, 2016, 09:25:02 AM
the faster a person expects everything to be completed usually results in the less complete everything is finished.
:yeah: :yeah: :tup: :tup:

I am always amazed when I see pups that have been "FF" and still are not steady.

I don't steady dogs until after they are FF'd.

WRL
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: JJD on April 24, 2016, 06:25:49 AM: In my experience, the dog that learns fast does not always learn best.
Some of my slower learners have been much more solid when they finally "get it".
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: Elliott on April 24, 2016, 08:34:18 AM: Regardless, Chewie is doing very well in training, and Kyle has shown great patience and skill with training my dog. Chewie responds very well to Kyle, even after being FF a few times, he still wags his tail and voluntarily jumps up onto the FF table. My dog isn't the smartest, and he probably wont win any field trials, but he'll do his job well once hes taught what to do and how to do it.
Title: Re: Conway Kennels
Post by: JJD on May 01, 2016, 08:16:18 AM: If your goals and expectations are being met, that is super :tup: